How the heck does it come out? I can see what look like a single point of attachment. I'm not sure if it's a torx head or allen head?

For anyone that's done this job with the injector pump still in the truck I could you some help. What is the bolt head, allen or torx and what size.. What's the best way to get at it, from underneath the truck or from the top.

thanks.

 

Sorry Mike- I haven't had to do this one..yet.

 

Be thankful for that, Justin. I think it's possible to get it from the bottom, but I'll need a super long extension. I just need to find the size and style of the bolt.

 

it is a 5mm allen head capscrew. use a long bit on your 3/8 drive ratchet, with an extension, so that you can get to it from behind/beside the power steering reservoir.

The long bit is required, because the body of a short 5mm bit in 3/8 drive, does not clear the body of the CPS connector.

Other than this, its a pretty easy swap. Start the bolt back into its hole with your fingers, or you will likely cross-thread it, and that becomes no fun at all. I have followed a few of these up, and man, it just plain sucks.

Also, food for thought. When changing a VP44 pump, spend the extra couple bucks, and change the cam sensor too. It is much easier with the IP out of the way.

 

Thanks pind!

I'm going to hold off until next weekend. Since I'd planned on doing the crank sensor at the same time I'm going to order some Larry B's starter contacts while I'm at it.

I'll post back after I get everything installed.

Thanks again for the help.

Mike

 

I just saw the long tip Allen sockets at Harbor Freight. Dir cheap.

 

I'll swing by there today. Thanks for the heads up, bentwings..

 

OK, Thanks to the information pind provided I got the job done. Since I got the tool to take the cap screw out I decided to try again today. Using the long hex head 5mm plus a couple of 3" extension I was able to get at it from behind and to the back side of the power steering pump. I used a long screw driver from underneath the truck to pry the sensor out. It popped out and fell to the ground. After you get the cap screw out it's only held in by a small o-ring.

The toughest part was trying to get the the cap crew started by hand or should I say the tips of my finger tips. Once I was sure that it grabbed a couple of threads I finished with the tools.

Aligning the hole in the sensor to the hole on the engine was tough. I used a small nail to line it up. Re-clipping the wire harness back on is best done if you reach from the back of the power steering pump and not in front, it to harsh of an angle if you try to go in front of the pump.

I hope whatever info. I provided in addition to pind will help some poor soul in the future.

My truck has a tad over 140,000 miles and the sensor looked great. I just figured it was time to replace it, sort of a PM thing. I don't think I'll replace this one unless I get a code.

 

Just wanted to update this thread.

I pulled the starter and installed the Larry B contacts and plunger along with replacing the crankshaft sensor. The contacts really didn't look horrible.

The 10mm bolt holding the small bracket for the sensor was the toughest thing to break loose. Thought I was going to use something bigger than the little 1/4 drive to break it loose.

Total job took about 2.5 hrs. Hope it's good for another 140,000.

 

I changed my crank sensor last week, now the cam sensor this weekend. I'll be going to Harbor Freight tomorrow for the long shaft allens. On the crank, sensor, it's easy, but the top starter bolt is hard to get to...

Not only do I have short fat hands, I have short fat arms too, alonf with my short fat belly.

 

This is a piece of cake, the key is a "wobble" 5MM allen head. Use a total of 12 inches of 3/8 extentions with your 3/8th drive ratchet.

There is only one allen bolt, about an inch long. I guess the hardest part is getting your hand in there to feel it, cuz you sure as heck can't see it.

Stick your left hand in there flat, and you'll be able to feel the wires to the connection. Slide your finger down the sensor, and you'll feel the allen head. The bolt and the sensor point at the radiator, not the engine. Slide the 5 mm allen head on the 12" of extension down next to the fuel filter, and start to snake it up to your left hand that's touching the bolt. Fit the allen head into the bolt and wiggle it in, and start to undo it. It will turn very easily after you break it loose, so you don't need the ratchet after breaking it loose.

Here is a very important step. After you've removed the one bolt, get a good idea of the tab's location by feeling it. It seems to be at about 8:00 o'clock, looking forward. Once you have your hand in there, you can wiggle around to get a grip on it. Turn and wiggle and pull. It will pop out after a few swear words.
Grease up the o-ring on your new sensor and set it within reach. You can pull the old sensor out with the wire clip on it far enough to easily disconnect it, then slide the plug into the new sensor. Put the tab in between your fingertips and slip your hand back into the small space. Wiggle it around until you feel it slip into the hole. Put your finger on the tab and push it in until you feel it slide in and seat. Now turn the tab back to the 8o o'clock position.

The hardest part is getting the bolt back into the hole without dropping it into never-never land, but with a little care you can. Get a turn or so just to be sure you don't cross thread it, then slip the 5mm allen head socket back up and in. Tighten up by hand until you need the ratchet, and tighten it up.

Have a well deserved cold one. I then cleared my 341, and the dash light is finally off. I never did experience any trouble other than the engine light, but I replaced both sensors anyways. After all, the truck has 200K on the clock, and is finally getting broken in...

 

Does anyone know if the cam sensor bolt on a 1999 is also 5mm allen? I swear for the last hour I have tried using my 5mm wobble head allen bit and it does not want to bite. It seems too small. Is there another size??

Thanks

 

Thanks in advance for all who have gone before. I am changing mine tonight and am now loaded with good information. You guys rock!

 

Heres another tip...make sure the bozo sold you the correct sensor -argh. I'm half done (the easy half)!

 

Ok. Finsihed, with the correct sensor. Pretty much just like stated above. While my buddy and I were taking a break to exchange curse words my wife installed the 5 mm allen and the harness. I'd rent her out but the maintenance would kill ya!